POINT-TO-POINT racing in the Borders looks set to get underway on Sunday when the Jedforest Hunt stages its rescheduled 2013 fixture at Kelso’s Friars Haugh course, which has attracted 109 entries, writes Hilary Mactaggart.
The first of seven races is off at 12.30pm with a 13-strong members’ race sponsored by Storage Express and Border Berries.
Di Walton from Hawick trains Beverley Beck for Northumberland sheep farmer Barrie Wharf, while Waterford carries the hopes of Wendy and Michael Hamilton who farm at Birnieknowe.
What A Night has won three points for Alison and Gavin Hamilton, now based near Denholm, while Buckstruther has scored eight times for Alistair and Rachel Bell from Kirkton, and recently recorded his first chase victory in the hands of Hawick jockey Jamie Hamilton.
The Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club members race for novice riders is at 1pm.
The 17 entries include Ngong Hills, which won four races under Rules for Chris Grant.
Jackie Williamson has Just Talking in the race, while Marfleet represents Di Walton, and Master Sebastian carries the hopes of Milnathort trainer Lucinda Russell.
Twelve entries have been received for the Brewin Dolphin ladies’ open race at 1.30pm, including Northumbrian raider Temple Green. Rose Dobbin plans to send dual chase victor Banoge from her Northumberland base, while Sea Scout aims to add a Kelso success to an unbeaten record at Alnwick.
The Jedforest is one of only two meetings in the north to be allocated a qualifier for a new mini men’s open race series.
The first three horses past the post in the Bonhams Men’s open will be eligible for the final at the Hunter Chase Evening on Wednesday, May 1, at Cheltenham. Any winner of a men’s open race throughout the season will also qualify.
It has the largest number of entries on the card, at 20, which includes Gunner Jack, trained at Yetholm by Clive Storey. The prolific winner took his career tally to 16 when recently accounting for the men’s open race at the Dumfries and Stewarty meeting.
There are 17 entries in the David Merry Farrier restricted race at 2.30pm, including Dust Packer from Jane Holland’s yard; and Lucky Lane, trained at Kelso by Jane Clark for her husband, Tom.
The Jockey Club/Yvette Jelfs PPORA mares maiden race, at 3pm, has 15 entries. The former Sue Smith-trained Heather Glen is a possible contender, along with Polobury from Katie Scott’s in-form Galashiels stable.
The concluding Billy Stenhouse Memorial open maiden race at 3.30pm, is for sponsored horses this year.
It has also attracted 15 entries, including Tomzatackman, placed twice over hurdles for Jedburgh’s Raymond Shiels.
Regular going reports, prospects, and updates, can be found on a new course website, www.friarshaughraces.co.uk.
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